Many recent graduates from high schools around the Arkansas River Valley are undertaking the first steps to ensure future success as they enter college this month.

What about recent graduates with special needs or disabilities? What does the future hold for them?

STAR Industries, a division of Friendship Community Care, offers individuals with disabilities the opportunity to grow and succeed professionally in the community.

“Our goal is to assist individuals with employment barriers,” Kay Milligan, supportive employment coordinator, said. “We help them obtain and maintain a presence in the work force. We offer on-site employment at our sheltered workshop and we also partner with area businesses to find employment within the community.”

STAR has been a part of the community for more than 20 years. The program currently has 143 consumers who work out of the Russellville location, and 35 who work in the supportive employment program.

The supportive employment program allows consumers the opportunity to work both in the sheltered workshop and matches them to a suitable external job.

“We’ve had supportive employment partnerships in the community for years,” Katie Baker, adult development manager, said. “Two years ago we decided to concentrate on building that program, up and it really became a structured program. We’ve been fortunate to find successful partnerships with local business, but we still need more. We have many consumers who would benefit from working within the community, but there just aren’t enough available openings.”

Peters Family Living has employed Robin Mitchell, a STAR consumer, for more than 20 years. Manager Doug Williams said Robin is treated like any other employee and has become an important part of their work family throughout the years.

“She does a great job,” Williams said. “She never complains and she is always prompt.”

Robin performs various cleaning duties throughout the store four days a week. Office manager Glenda Hearen has worked with Robin for nine years and said she is an integral part of their team.

“She is very good at her job. She comes in and goes straight to work,” Hearen said. “She is always happy and has a heart of gold. We try to include her in all of our store functions. She is part of our family. I hope other businesses partner with STAR. They will be blessed by the experience.”

To ensure success both in the workforce and in life, STAR offers life-skill training, provides consumers a job coach and provides transportation to and from work. Life-skill training includes learning how to cook, clean and maintain proper hygiene, as well as basic living skills such as budgeting.

“We want our clients to succeed and live their lives to the fullest,” Baker said. “Working gives them a sense of pride they wouldn’t otherwise have. It increases their self worth and then they feel like they are a part of the community, not on the outside looking in.”

Milligan said in exchange for hiring a Friendship consumer, businesses might be able to apply for generous tax breaks under the work opportunity tax credit. Consumers can work for companies or individuals who need housekeeping, yard work and other tasks performed.

Milligan said before a consumer is placed in the workforce, staff interviews them to determine what job of they are interested in to match them to an appropriate employer. Some employers, like Arkansas Tech University, hire multiple employees.

“Tech employs 15 consumers,” Baker said. “We have a great partnership with them. They hired multiple consumers to assist with cleaning at Lake Point Conference Center.”

Baker said STAR recently purchased a commercial shredder to offer more jobs at the sheltered workshop. Milligan and Baker both said they love working with the consumers at STAR and is exited about the future growth of the supportive employment program.

““We’re glad to be partnering with STAR,” Williams said. “I would encourage other businesses in the area to consider it. It’s really a great opportunity for both the employer and the employee. It is a win,win opportunity for the community.”

Anyone interested in learning more about STAR and employment opportunities can visit its location at 1200 S. Elmira Ave. or call (479) 968-7118.